National Museum of the Pacific War to Reopen George H.W. Bush Gallery Following Transformative Renovation
FREDERICKSBURG, Texas, November 17, 2025 – On the 16th anniversary of its opening, the George H.W. Bush Gallery at the National Museum of the Pacific War will unveil a transformative renovation that shares the stories behind one of history’s most pivotal conflicts in new and powerful ways. The opening on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, marks the first major update to the gallery since its debut in 2009 and coincides with this year’s 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 84th anniversary of the original attack on Pearl Harbor.
The National Museum of the Pacific War is a Texas Historical Commission property operated by the Admiral Nimitz Foundation.
“This expansive renovation is a reflection of the strength of partnership between the Admiral Nimitz Foundation and the Texas Historical Commission (THC),” said THC Executive Director Joseph Bell. “The funding of the Texas legislature along with private donations made the project possible, but it is the dedication and innovation of the museum staff that have made it a reality.”
The refreshed gallery of this Smithsonian Affiliate museum will introduce novel interactive experiences that bridge past and present. Visitors will see the Pacific War through the eyes of virtual characters such as pilots, nurses and refugees. New and updated exhibits will share more stories of local populations throughout the Pacific as well as contributions by women and people of color to the war effort both in battle and on the homefront.
“Our role is to preserve the past while also making it meaningful today. The renewed Bush Gallery is a testament to that mission, honoring those who served while ensuring the stories of the Pacific War continue to inform and inspire every visitor,” said President & CEO of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation Dr. Rorie Cartier.
New and updated features include:
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Virtual character experiences, allowing visitors to step into the shoes of pilots, nurses, and refugees to better understand the personal impact of war.
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A new children’s exhibit, presenting the conflict through the eyes of three children on the American homefront, designed as an age-appropriate entry point for younger visitors.
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Expanded exhibits on representation, showcasing artifacts and stories that highlight previously untold stories of the Pacific War.
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Earlier this year, the museum debuted “The Rescue,” a multi-sensory experience that transports visitors to the Philippines and tells the true story of 40 refugees rescued by an American submarine.
The reopening ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6 will begin at 10 a.m. with remarks from museum leadership and special guest speaker, George P. Bush. A ribbon cutting will follow at 10:30 a.m., after which admission will be free, for all visitors throughout the day. On Sunday, Dec. 7, the museum will offer programming commemorating Pearl Harbor Day. Please see the museum website for details: pacificwarmuseum.org/events
See here renderings of the site, credit: Texas Historical Commission.
About the National Museum of the Pacific War
The National Museum of the Pacific War (NMPW), founded in 1967, is the only institution in the continental United States dedicated to telling the story of the Pacific and Asiatic Theaters in World War II. The Museum annually welcomes more than 120,000 visitors, including at least 15,000 students from across the state. Situated on six acres in downtown Fredericksburg, Texas, the museum features three galleries with more than 55,000 square feet of indoor exhibits, 40 media installations, approximately 900 artifacts, 15 macro-artifacts, and hundreds of photographs. The Museum is a Texas Historical Commission Property, managed and supported by The Admiral Nimitz Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization. For more information, visit http://www.pacificwarmuseum.
About the Texas Historical Commission
The Texas Historical Commission is the state’s official historic preservation agency. It preserves, operates, and manages 42 state historic sites, the Texas Heritage Trails Program, Texas Main Street Program, Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program, and many more heritage tourism and historic preservation initiatives across the state. The Texas Historical Commission’s mission is to protect and preserve the state’s historic and prehistoric resources for the use, education, enjoyment, and economic benefit of present and future generations. For more information, visit thc.texas.gov.
About the Admiral Nimitz Foundation
The Admiral Nimitz Foundation was established in 1971 as a 501(c)(3) Texas Corporation to provide additional development funding for the Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Naval Museum, a museum honoring Fredericksburg’s native son and Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces, Pacific Ocean Area. The sole purpose of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation is to raise funds for the National Museum of the Pacific War and to manage its operation.
About Smithsonian Affiliations
Smithsonian Affiliations is a national outreach program that develops long-term collaborative partnerships with museums, educational, and cultural organizations to share Smithsonian collections, build collaborative networks, and engage learners of all ages with Smithsonian resources. More information is available at www.affiliations.si.edu.